play something . . . But please don't fatigue yourself with Archie.
Robert
[Suavely.] Do, Beatty. That is what you want.
Beatrice
If Archie will come?
Archie
[With a shrug.] To listen.
Beatrice
[Takes his hand.] And a little lesson, too. Very short.
Bertha
Well, afterwards you must stay to tea.
Beatrice
[To Archie.] Come.
[Beatrice and Archie go out together by the door on the left. Bertha goes towards the davenport, takes off her hat and lays it with her sunshade on the desk. Then taking a key from a little flower-vase, she opens a drawer of the davenport, takes out a slip of paper and closes the drawer again. Robert stands watching her.]
Bertha
[Coming towards him with the paper in her hand.] You put this into my hand last night. What does it mean?
Robert
Do you not know?
Bertha
[Reads.] There is one word which I have never dared to say to you. What is the word?
